LOSS OF THE ASHES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 101, 22 January 1921, Page 7

LOSS OF THE ASHES

NEWS RECEIVED-CALMLY IN LONDON ENGLISH PRESS COMMENTS By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright London, January' 20'. The loss of the Ashes was received calmly. The disappointment is tempered by England’s record in" the fourth innings, and Hobbs’s brilliant effort, and the Australian appreciation of the performance is generally eulogised. The ‘‘"Westminster Gazette” comments: “To create a record in thp fourth innings of a Test match is something, but it was not enough. Hobbs may fairly claim that he did all one man could do in a nervetesting situation. It is hoped that the remaining matches will provide an opportunity for showing that English cricket is not outclassed to the degree that now appears.” The “Star” has issued a poster: "Sackcloth, but no Ashes.” The "Pall Mall Gazette” says thal nobody will deny that the victors played strong, sound cricket. The visitors did not have, the best of luck, and will be the last to make that a ground for depreciating Australia’s success. English cricket will be on its mettle next summer. No better stimulus is needed than the way Australia maintained her traditional standard in every branch of the game. The “Evening News” says the Australians won because they were the better team. Throughout the history ol Australian cricket, there is nothing finer than this victory, snatched after the game seemed lost; but England is not disgraced, thanks to Hobbs’s and Russell’s recovery of form- England needed a larger leaven of young men to stand the strain of such a tour. Australia had a great all-round side, with no batting "tail,” and a variety of bowling. England had a painfully long tail, and needed new bowlers. —Aus..N.Z. Cable Assn. LORD HAWKeInTERYIEWED ENGLAND’S NEED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS. (Rec. January 21, 8.20 p.m.) London, January 20. Lord Hawke, interviewed, said: “Englapd has not had the best of luck in the Test matches. Ido not say w« have got our old side, but our players are not young. Australia has discarded most of her old players and her youngsters are evidently pretty good. I am afraid our youngsters ere not quite of the same character.” He declined to be drawn into a controversy regarding ilhe English captain’s tactics, but added: "I have something to sayregarding players writing criticisms of the play for newspapers. Just you wait until Tuesday, when I shall speak at the annual meeting of the Yorkshire Club. My mind is made up on. thia point, and when the Test match teams are selected in England this summer it will not be forgotten.* Another thing is, we must put an end to this disputing of the umpires’ decisions. When a man is out leg before, he must not stand in tho crease and argue, but take the decision as final, and retire as a true sportsman. Ou this point, too, more will be said on Tuesday.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. VIEWS OF SYDNEY PAPERS TRIBUTE TO HOBBS’S MASTERLY DISPLAY. Sydney, January 21. The "Herald” says: "It was a remarkable match, England having a winning chance till Hobbs lost his wicket. His innings was a masterly display. Without doubt he is a master among the many centurions of the match. Australia has won the rubber, but not the Ashes, which are in England, and must be won there by an Australian team. The "Telegraph” says: "‘The Ashes’ are ours, although the English manager has a queer idea that Australia must win them in England- The match is the greatest of the series. Douglas was topeful till Woolley was dismissed. Armstrong states that it was anybody’s game up to a certain point. - Hobbs equalled. Trumper’s record of six centuries in the Tests, and also smashed the aggregate record, 1541 being the previous best for a Test. England fought to the very last, and lost all save honour, which remained to her with embellishment.” —Press Assn. STAWELL MATCH ABANDONED. Adelaide, January 21. Owing to the extreme weariness of the Englishmen the Stawell match has been abandoned. —Press Assn. AUSTRALIANS’ VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND Melbourne, January 21. Ellis is unable to visit New Zealand. Ransford, Lampard, and Ironmonger have accepted.—Press Assn. (Rec. January 22, 0.20 a.m.) Melbourne, January 21. Hartkopf has declined to make the New Zealand tour.—Press Assn. AUSTRALIANS’ FIXTURES IN ENGLAND "TOO MANY' AGAINST WEAK COUNTIES.” (Rec. January 22, 0.20 a.m.) • London, January 20. Mr. P. T?. Warner writes: “The matches against Australia in England are not well arranged. There are too many fixtures against too many weak counties. If the wickets are sticky Australia will have the hardest job to retain the ashes. On soft wickets Rhodes and Woolley will dispose of any side under a hundred runs. Gregory and Mailey are first-class bowlers. The former impressed me greatly in 1919. Otherwise the Australian bowling is not of the strongest.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.